U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee wins Democratic primary
Sheila Jackson Lee defeated Amanda Edwards in the most competitive primary of her congressional career. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee hugs a friend at her victory party on March 5, 2024, in Houston.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune -
It’s primary election day. Here are six things to watch.
Divisions among Republicans are in stark display, some of Texas’ most senior members of Congress are retiring and Democrats are hoping to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz. Full Story
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![Election signs on March 5, 2024, outside of the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center in Houston, Texas.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune -
After bruising loss in Houston mayoral race, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee faces her toughest reelection yet
Jackson Lee faces off against Amanda Edwards, her most formidable congressional opponent in three decades. Full Story
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![Former Houston City Councilwoman Amanda Edwards and incumbent U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune and Graeme Sloan/Sipa USA via REUTERS -
House panel advances impeachment charges against Mayorkas with Texas Republicans backing
A member of the president’s cabinet has not been impeached in nearly 150 years. The full House is expected to vote next week. Full Story
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![U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas listens to U.S. Border Patrol chief Raul Ortiz near the border with Mexico in La Joya on May 17, 2022.]()
Credit: Joel Martinez/Pool via REUTERS -
Sheila Jackson Lee files for reelection for U.S. House seat after losing in mayoral race
State Sen. John Whitmire, a fellow Houston Democrat, defeated Jackson Lee in a landslide Saturday. Full Story
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![Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee speaks during an EPA meeting on April 20, 2023 in Houston, Texas.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune -
State Sen. John Whitmire elected Houston mayor, AP reports
Whitmire defeated U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee to be the next mayor of Texas’ largest city and the fourth largest city in the U.S. Full Story
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![Senator John Whitmire speaks to supporters during a campaign watch party during Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in downtown Houston.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
In Houston mayoral race, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and state Sen. John Whitmire head to a runoff
The two well-known Democrats led a crowded field, but neither captured a majority of the vote. The runoff will be Dec. 9. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, and state Sen. John Whitmire speak at their watch parties on Election Day, Nov. 7, 2023, in Houston.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
In crowded field, Houston mayor's race centers on prominent Democrats Sheila Jackson Lee and John Whitmire
Jackson Lee has sought to rally her party’s base, vowing to stand up to “MAGA Republicans.” Whitmire has relied on a more bipartisan coalition while also defending his Democratic credentials. Full Story
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![Houston mayor candidates State Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, and U.S. Rep Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune | Graeme Sloan/Sipa USA via REUTERS -
Sheila Jackson Lee expresses regret after audio leaks of her berating, demeaning staffers
Jackson Lee is running for Houston mayor, and the recording of her expletive-laden rant toward an employee was sent from an anonymous email account to multiple news organizations, three days before the start of early voting. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, speaks during an EPA meeting on April 20, 2023 in Houston.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune -
Afghan soldier Abdul Wasi Safi, once detained at Texas-Mexico border, wins asylum
The solider helped U.S. forces in Afghanistan. As a refugee, he hoped to save his life by joining his brother in Houston. Full Story
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![Sami-ullah Safi and Abdul Wasi Safi shop for items to celebrate Eid on Friday, April 21, 2023, in Houston, TX.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Political dominoes could fall in Houston as 2 longtime Democrats campaign for mayor
State Sen. John Whitmire, first elected in 1982, and U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, in office since 1995, could be vacating seats that haven’t been open for decades. The election calendar, however, may bring a tough decision for one or both. Full Story
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![Houston mayor candidates Sheila Jackson Lee and John Whitmire]()
Credit: Kylie Cooper/Sophie Park for The Texas Tribune -
U.S. debt ceiling fight riles Texans at both political ends
The high-stakes confrontation could have an impact on retirements accounts, corporations and much more. Full Story
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![The U.S. Capitol is seen through a food truck window on April 14, 2022.]()
Credit: Shuran Huang for The Texas Tribune -
Months after being freed, Afghan soldier arrested at border is now on a path toward asylum and healing
Wasi and his brother pray for their family’s safety as the holy month of Ramadan ends and the Taliban continues to rule Afghanistan. Full Story
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![Abdul Wasi Safi talks with his father in Afghanistan on Friday, April 21, 2023, in Houston, TX.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee is running for Houston mayor
Jackson Lee enters a mayoral contest that is already well underway. The early frontrunner is state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, and his competitors include Chris Hollins, the former Harris County clerk, and Amanda Edwards, a former City Council member. Full Story
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![Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, speaks at a Washington D.C. rally in support of the Senate passing a federal assault weapons ban on Friday, March 24, 2023.]()
Credit: Julia Nikhinson for The Texas Tribune -
Parents share their outrage during first public meeting over Houston ISD takeover
The Texas Education Agency announced on March 15 that it would replace the current superintendent and its democratically elected school board with a new board of managers as soon as June 1. Full Story
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![Attendees of a TEA community meeting express their disapproval of the agency's takeover of Houston Independent School District at Westbury High School in Houston on March 21, 2023.]()
Credit: Douglas Sweet Jr. for The Texas Tribune -
Afghan soldier says he will live the “American dream” after being released from immigration detention center
U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee’s office mounted pressure on several federal agencies earlier this month leading up to Abdul Wasi Safi’s release on Tuesday. Full Story
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![Abdul Wasi Safi speaks at a Houston press conference on Jan. 27, 2023, following his release from a Texas detention center.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Afghan soldier jailed in Texas for crossing border should receive presidential pardon, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee says
The Houston Democrat said she has sent a letter to the White House asking the Biden administration to ensure Abdul Wasi Safi starts his life in America without a criminal record. Full Story
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![Sami-ullah Safi, brother of detained Afghan soldier Abdul Wasi Safi, speaks during a press conference with U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, in downtown Houston on Jan. 13, 2023.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Texas state senator blasts Uvalde police response in congressional hearing: “It was cowardice”
Roland Gutierrez made the remarks during a hearing of the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security that was focused on bipartisan legislative solutions to gun violence. Full Story
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![State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, during a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing, Examining Uvalde: The Search for Bipartisan Solutions to Gun Violence, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 15, 2022.]()
Credit: Shuran Huang for The Texas Tribune -
Only one Texas Republican in Congress voted to protect marriage equality
U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales was the only Texas Republican to vote for a bill seeking to codify the right to same-sex marriage. The measure passed the House, but its fate in the Senate is uncertain. Full Story
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![A protestor waves a pride flag during a protest outside of the G. Brint Ryan College of Business at the University of North Texas in Denton on March 23, 2022.]()
Credit: Emil Lippe for The Texas Tribune -
Partisan tensions flare among Texans in congressional gun hearing
House Democrats are combining several gun policy bills into one large package known as the Protecting our Kids Act. Among the measures in the bill: raising the age to purchase semi-automatic weapons to 21; outlawing the sale, manufacture, transfer or possession of a large-capacity magazine; and creating tax breaks for purchasing proper gun storage equipment. Full Story
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![Hundreds of handguns and rifles for sale at McBride’s Gun’s in Central Austin on April 20, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune